Celebrity Couples Who Broke up After Decades Together
Celebrity divorces are pretty common, but some shock us all the same — especially when a couple has spent decades together before announcing their split. From ultra-famous flames to romances that fly a bit more under the radar, you can’t help but feel a bit sad in any case of a relationship meeting its end.
While some couples separated amicably and others certainly did not, celebrities who have broken up after decades together have experienced all the ups and downs of love under the scrutiny of the public eye.
Cute moments over the years from certain couples made us sure they were built to last, like Dan Akroyd and Donna Dixon working together on movie sets or Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock (yes, Kelly Clarkson’s ex’s father) raising a blended family together, and it was a bitter pill to swallow when those couples said their goodbyes. In other cases, these super-long relationships have resulted in extramarital affairs (we’re looking at you, Arnold Schwarzenegger) or multiple divorce filings (like with Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus), and those are a little easier to stomach when the couples decide to separate — we don’t think anyone should go through unnecessary pain, but not all relationships are built to last.
Regardless, it can be hard not to question everything you know when a couple that seemed rock-solid is suddenly on the outs. Whatever the reasons were for their demise, here are Hollywood’s longest-lasting relationships that resulted in a breakup or divorce after spending over 20 years together.
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Rachel Zoe & Rodger Berman: 33 Years
Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe began her decades-long romance with Rodger Berman back in 1991, tying the knot in 1998.
Across their 26 years of marriage they welcomed sons Skyler in 2011 and Kassius in 2013.
The couple announced their split in a 2024 Instagram post, revealing they were ending things on amicable terms.
Angelo Pagán & Leah Remini: 28 Years
Actress Leah Remini and her husband Angelo Pagan were together for 28 years and married for 21 before they revealed their split in September, 2024.
The now-exes share daughter Sofia Bella, born in 2004. Pagán also has three sons from a previous relationship.
Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher: 23 Years
In early 2024, Isla Fisher revealed she had privately separated from husband Sacha Baron Cohen towards the end of the previous year, ending their 23-year love story.
Baron Cohen and Fisher met in 2001 but didn’t officially tie the knot until 2010, welcoming daughters Olive and Elula, and their son, Montgomery, over the course of their romance.
Deborra-Lee Furness & Hugh Jackman: 28 Years
Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman met and fell in love on the set of Correlli in 1995, taking no time at all to get married the following year.
In 2000, they adopted their son, Oscar, and completed their family in 2005 with daughter Ava.
In 2023, they shocked fans when they announced that they had decided to amicably divorce.
Meryl Streep & Don Gummer: 39 Years
One of Hollywood’s longest lasting yet most discreet romances came to a quiet close back in 2017, though they didn’t reveal their separation until 2023.
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer wed in 1978, six months after meeting. They share four kids, Henry Wolfe, Mamie Gummer, Grace Gummer, and Louisa Jacobson.
In 2023, it was reported that they had been separated for over six years but had no plans to divorce.
Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner: 25 Years
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s contentious divorce battle dominated the summer of 2023 after they called off their 18-year marriage in May of that year.
The couple started dating in 1998 and tied the knot in 2004. They share two children.
Dan Aykroyd & Donna Dixon: 39 Years
Together since 1983, Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon married after starring in Doctor Detroit together. After marriage, they collaborated on additional films, and they added three daughters, Danielle, Belle, and Stella, to their family.
The couple announced their split in 2022, but it’s a rather unique separation: the two intend to remain legally married, “a choice in loving friendship” that allows them to be on different life paths while remaining co-parents, co-workers, and business partners.
Arnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver: 35 Years
One of the most famous couples due to their status in both Hollywood and US politics, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver married in 1986. The pair were a power couple until 2011, when Schwarzenegger’s affair with their housekeeper, and their subsequent child together, was made public. Shriver filed for divorce that year, but it wasn’t legally finalized until 10 years later in 2021.
Schwarzenegger and Shriver are amicable today, sharing four children, including Patrick and Katherine Schwarzenegger.
Anthony Hopkins & Jennifer Lynton: 29 Years
Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Lynton were married in 1973 and stayed together until 2002. Lynton was Hopkins’ second wife.
Jessica Lange & Sam Shepard: 29 Years
While they were never legally wed, Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard spent nearly 30 years together, having two children, Heather and Walker, along the way. The couple met on the set of Frances and began dating in 1982. They confirmed their split in 2011.
Billy Ray & Tish Cyrus: 28 Years
Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus aren’t new to divorce — in fact, the duo has filed for divorce three times over the past 12 years. First married in 1993, Tish Cyrus most recently filed for divorce in April 2022. They share five children, including Miley and Noah Cyrus.
Robert & Lola Redford: 27 Years
One of Old Hollywood’s most famous stars, Robert Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958. Although Redford is widely regarded as one of the industry’s biggest sex symbols at the time, he spent the peak of his career devoted to his marriage, which resulted in four shared children. The couple agreed to a mutual split in 1985 after nearly 30 years of matrimony.
Morgan Freeman & Myrna Colley-Lee: 26 Years
Separating in 2007 and officially divorcing in 2010, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee spent 26 years married prior to going their separate ways.
Reba McEntire & Narvel Blackstock: 26 Years
Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock spent 26 years together before divorcing in 2015. They share a son, Shelby Steven, and McEntire reportedly remains close to the three stepchildren she grew close to during her marriage to Blackstock.
Clint Eastwood & Maggie Johnson: 25 Years
Meeting on a blind date, Clint Eastwood and Maggie Johnson were married in 1953, and Johnson filed for divorce in 1978. Their divorce was not finalized until 1984, 31 years after they were wed. The two share a son and daughter, Kyle and Alison.
Caitlyn & Kris Jenner: 24 Years
After 24 years of marriage, eight being broadcasted to the world on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Caitlyn and Kris Jenner were divorced in 2015. With their bickering going from playful to pernicious as the years went on, it wasn’t a huge shock to the public when the couple separated in 2013.
After years of being estranged, the two are now amicable, sharing daughters Kylie and Kendall, as well as the Kardashian kids.
Anthony Anderson & Alvina Stewart: 23 Years
Another couple that’s familiar with filing for divorce is Anthony Anderson and Alvina Stewart. Married in 1999, Stewart filed for divorce in 2015. The couple reconciled by 2017, but by early 2022, Stewart had filed once more.
Susan Sarandon & Tim Robbins: 23 Years
Never legally married, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins separated after 23 years together in 2009. The two met on the set of Bull Durham in 1988 and had two children, Jack and Miles, during their union.
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison: 20 Years
Harrison Ford and screenwriter Melissa Mathison were married in 1984 and spent 20 years together before their divorce in 2004, which is one of the most expensive celebrity divorces to date. The pair had separated in 2000, and by the time their divorce was finalized, Ford was already living with his current wife, Calista Flockhart. Ford shares two children, Matthew and Georgia, with Mathison, who was his second wife.
Chris Rock & Malaak Compton-Rock: 20 Years
Chris Rock married Malaak Compton in 1996 after leaving Saturday Night Live. The couple went on to have two daughters, Lola and Zahra, but they ultimately split in 2016 after Compton-Rock filed for divorce in 2014.
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale: 20 Years
Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s on-again-off-again relationship ran the course of 20 years, from 1995 to 2015. The singers met when their bands, No Doubt and Bush, were both playing for a local radio station. Stefani and Rossdale dated for six years, then tied the knot in 2002 before they split and their divorce was ultimately finalized in 2016. The two share three sons: Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo.
